The Enchancian Curse

Coming Home

Sofia is 18 and James and Amber are 19. Sofia has been the Guardian of the Everrealm for several years now, James is a knight and Amber's coronation is coming up soon. Sofia has been living in the Secret Library and going on missions as a Guardian and the StoryKeeper keeping her away from everyone for long periods of time. Sofia hasn't see her friends from Royal Prep in several years.

Chapter 1

(Sofia POV)

It's strange to be back here, almost as strange as it was moving in all those years ago. I looked less like a princess now then when I lived in the village. Yet, there is a feeling that I can't quite explain as I looked at the gates of the castle, the feeling that after so long I am finally home. I walked up to the gates of the palace. "Who goes there?" a Guard asked forcing me to face the reality of how long it had truly been since I last came here, "Princess Sofia" I said removing my hood. The Guard was taken aback before opening the gate and allowing me to come on to the castle grounds. I walk into the yard and see James amongst the other knights in the garden. My parents can wait another moment for me to answer their summons and can go say hi.

I watched from a distance as the continued to practice, sparring, striking, dodging until they defeat their opponent. As the other knights left, I walked behind James, "Well you have gotten a lot better." He quickly pulled out his sword and held it to my throat, "Sofia?" "Yes I know it's been a long time" James let go of his sword and pulled me into a hug. My body is sore from my most recent adventure but the ache throughout my body feels good as I hug him back. "When... How...Why?" He stutters out not sure which question is more important to ask. I smile, "I just got here, I walked, and Mom and Dad officially summoned me." James couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Of course you didn't come for me. I missed you Sof." "I missed you too."

We walked together into the castle and talked about each others adventures until we reached the throne room. Amber was there in the midst of going over important documents with Baileywick, "Ok so the crop quota of Dunnwiddie is this number down here" "Yes Princess Amber" "Well I hate to interrupt such an important conversation but..." I said interrupted by Amber rushing to give me a hug, "Sofia, it has been too long. Why are you here and what are you wearing?" I let out a laugh thinking about how some things would never change for Amber. "I just got here and I came straight from a storybook adventure when I received a summons from the King and Queen of Enchancia. Speaking of which" I went down into a curtsey, "Your Majesties." Mom clasped her hands over her mouth as she came towards me and wrapped her arms around me, "Sofia, you finally came home." "Of course I came. Now what was so urgent you felt the need to give me an oficial royal summons" I said turning toward Dad. He and Mom exchanged a glance before Mom said, "Why don't you go to your suite and freshen up, business can wait, tonight we celebrate you coming home. I smiled knowing better than to argue, "Of course please excuse me."

Before going to my room there was one more person I had to see. I climbed up the tower to his work shot, "Mr. Cedric" "What is it no- Princess Sofia... You're home." I let out a laugh, "Yes I'm home, it's nice to see you again." "What brings you home?" "My parents sent out a Royal Summons to the Secret Library clearly it was important so I came home, but I had to visit my favorite sorcerer first." I smiled. "I am the only sorcerer you know." He said with his arms crossed. "That is not true anymore... It's been a long time but a lot of things have changed."

I went to my suite and opened the window hoping Mia and Robin would know where I was after leaving the library. I washed up and went into my old closet. It was strange seeing so many ballgowns now that my adventures prohibited me from wearing them consistently. I chose a simple soft pink gown, that went well with my amulet, that had long sleeves and was made of a soft organza fabric. I looked at the tiara that was on my night table and put it on for the first time in a long time. I looked in the mirror and I didn't see Protector of the Ever Realm or the Storykeeper but rather Princess Sofia.

I went down to the dining room and joined the rest of my family. We celebrated me being home along with all the accomplishments I had missed while I was away. "How did I miss so much?" I asked as dessert was served. "Well that is what happens when you don't come home for what has it been 3 years? No 4." Amber said under her breath. "Yes I guess it has been a long time" I needed to remember to speak to Amber later because clearly there was a problem. I looked over at Mom and Dad who were exchanging glances toward one another. "Ok so what is going on? You keep exchanging looks and are looking at me. Is something wrong? Do you need my help with something?"

Mom and Dad looked at one another again, "Sofia we would like for you to come back home for a while, at least until the ball next week. There are a lot of things we need to discuss now that all of you are of age." I looked over at James and Amber to see if they knew what they were talking about but they remained silent in their seats. "Alright, sure I wasn't planning on going on any adventures anytime soon and the other Guardians can take care of things in my absence for a short while." Dad smiled and nodded towards me. "Who is coming to the ball?" I asked taking in a spoonful of pudding, "Well all of your classmates from Royal Prep: Vivian, Hildegard, Clio, Zander, Desmond, Hugo..." I spit out the pudding that was in my mouth. "I'm so sorry" I said wiping my mouth.

Hugo, I haven't let myself think about him in years. Ever since we graduated from our schools after Royal Prep we lost contact. His brother Prince Axel had abdicated the throne after becoming engaged to Princess Astrid making Hugo the Crown Prince of Albuquerque and he was busy learning all the rules and roles that came with that title. Meanwhile I was flying from kingdom to kingdom finishing stories from the library of flying to the Mystic Isles to help there. All contact we once had was now gone. "It will great to be see them all again. Please excuse me."

I went back to my suite and locked the door before opening my old trunk. I then grabbed the old letters that Hugo had once sent me. I sometimes wondered what would have happened if fate had decided not to place so much weight on each of our soldiers. After we had won the Flying Crown at Royal Prep we had become good friends and after the Enchanted Ice Dancing Recital I had a crush on him but, never got the chance to talk to him about them. I released a sigh, "You are my big 'What if' I wish things could have been different." I hid the letters back in the trunk and changed into my nightgown before going to sleep. It was the first time I slept through the night in 4 years.

(3rd Person POV)

Queen Miranda and King Rolland II were pacing back and forth in their room. "We should have told them at dinner, the longer we put this off the worse it is going be," Queen Miranda said. "I know, I know" King Rolland said bringing his hands through his hair, "but I was worried Sofia was going to leave again... especially after telling her that it would most likely be her." "Why does it have to be our children Rolland it didn't happen to you or your sister?" "It is a curse that happens ever thousand years, I honestly thought it was a myth before the signs started to appear." The both sat down and tried to think of some kind of solution, "For now, Miranda we can't tell them. We will do everything we can to protect them but until we have exhausted every option we won't bring them into this. Agreed?" She nodded resting her head on his shoulder, "I only hope they can one day forgive us."